Preliminary communication

Restorative Treatment Decisions of Dentists in Split and Dalmatia County on Approximal and Occlusal Caries: a Pilot Study

Ivan Vrsalović ; Private dental practice, Split, Croatia
Anja Baraba ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivica Anić ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivar Espelid ; Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Anne B. Tveit ; Department of Cariology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Ivana Miletić ; Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Objective of work: The aim of this pilot study was to identify treatment thresholds, restorative methods and materials for approximal and occlusal caries lesions used by dentists in Split and Dalmatia County. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire of Espelid et al. (2001) was translated from English to Croatian and distributed to a random sample (n=100) of dentists in Split and Dalmatia County. Responses were collected from 28 dentists. Figures, included as an addition to questions, illustrated different clinical and radiographic stages of approximal, occlusal and questionable carious lesions. Results: The majority of dentists would perform restorative treatment for an approximal carious lesion which reached dentin-enamel junction (39%) or would not restore the lesion until it penetrated dentin (39%). The preferred cavity design was the tunnel preparation technique chosen by 61% of dentists. The majority
of dentists (75%) stated that they would intervene restoratively for occlusal carious lesions in dentin. The majority (46%) of the dentists judged tooth A like having a carious lesion confined to the enamel while tooth B was judged “sound” by 39% of the respondents. Conclusions: Dentists in this pilot study tend to restore carious lesions at the moment the lesions reached dentin-enamel junction or just penetrated dentin, but further studies are necessary to conclude about the restorative decisions of dentists in Split and Dalmatia County.

Keywords

Dental caries; Dentin; Questionnaires; Health care surveyes

Hrčak ID:

39409

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/39409

Publication date:

15.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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